Putin, Modi Meet as Global Leaders converge for shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China
Tianjin, China – russian President vladimir Putin arrived today in tianjin to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, joining a gathering of leaders from across Asia, the Middle East, and europe as China seeks to solidify its influence on the world stage. The summit, the largest such meeting since the SCO’s founding in 2001, comes as geopolitical tensions rise and the global order faces potential realignment.
Chinese president Xi Jinping initiated bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tianjin, signaling Beijing’s continued efforts to navigate complex regional dynamics. The SCO, originally focused on security and counter-terrorism, has broadened its scope to encompass economic and military cooperation, and this year’s summit is widely viewed as an opportunity for China to present itself as a leading force in a shifting global landscape, particularly as Russia seeks diplomatic support amid Western sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.
Beyond Putin and Modi, the summit draws a diverse array of international figures. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is among the 26 world leaders expected to attend a military parade in Beijing. Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet were received by President Xi on Saturday, and further arrivals are anticipated, including Iranian President Masoud Bouchakian and turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The SCO currently includes China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. In recent years, the organization has expanded its reach, incorporating 16 additional countries as observer states or “dialog partners.”
Analysts suggest President Xi will use the summit to discuss the future of the global system, perhaps positioning China as an option center of power.Russia’s participation is seen as a crucial diplomatic boost for Moscow, offering a platform to counter the effects of international sanctions. The organization’s focus is expected to remain on security and combating terrorism, while concurrently fostering deeper economic and military ties among its member states.
